Staff evacuated two shops in Haslingden yesterday after they filled up with smoke.

Staff evacuated two shops in Haslingden yesterday after they filled up with smoke.

The fumes puffed up into Shah Poran Grocers and Classic Carpets on Blackburn Road following a cellar fire.

Fire chiefs said smoke took hold of the shops because a workman had been in the cellar burning wood.

Rawtenstall crew manager Alex Wilson said: "Because the chimney was blocked smoke built up and then spread to the two shops above the cellar. The workman was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up but was fine."

The incident happened shortly before 2pm on Tuesday.

Ian Wood, 60, has been running Classic Carpets since 1989.

He said: "I was out at the time. But next door they are having alterations done to the cellar. Someone lit a fire in the grate and burned something. It seeped through upstairs to the grocers and into mine next door. Mine is now smoke damaged and closed for business today and we are opening on Thursday. Luckily we just carry samples in the shop. Nothing was lost."

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